Khat (Catha Edulis) Plant Abuse in Saudi Arabia
Tareq AL-Ahmadi
Abstract
Method: Research on the problem of khat smuggling to Saudi Arabia was performed through the analysis of
seven years of data (2010 – 2016) obtained by Saudi Customs and other governmental entities responsible for
monitoring the smuggling of drugs, which includes data reflecting the amount of khat seized and smuggled
to Saudi Arabia.
Results: Khat smuggling has increased in Saudi Arabia over seven (2010-2016) years. The analysis of data
on both the promotion and smuggling of khat were considered, and placed khat in third place among other
drugs since the year 1999.
Conclusion: Statistically, Jazan is the most vulnerable to the smuggling of khat. As such, the to design of
intervention programs is recommended to address the problem of khat smuggling in the Jazan region.
Additionally, awareness should be increased among the youth through cooperation between public
education and higher education, which should include further research on this problem.